Working for the Dragon

Chapter 17. Incoming

My family's return had been eventful as of now. Everyone had returned back to their respective houses with their spouses. Only Ron and Hermione remained in the Burrow. They were waiting for practice season to start.

Harry had yet to return from Bulgaria; apparently he stayed behind with Luna who apparently was still raving on about her pointless missions with complete enthusiasm or so I've heard from Hermione.

I think I had it established that them being together didn't matter to me but then after thinking again, I decided that I was mad at Luna. Not mad like, 'Bitch-you-took-my-ex-boyfriend' mad but 'why-didn't-you-tell-me' mad.

A letter would have been nice.

Luna was going to get the silent treatment from me and Channy when she returned home. Speaking of Channy, my other crazy best friend, she was missing in action too. She had yet to reply to my Christmas gift and it was way past that now.

Probably partying somewhere, I mused to myself at the breakfast table.

It was an awfully ungodly hour for a Monday morning, the crack of dawn. I was exhausted from cleaning the house to suit Mum's impeccably high standards of cleanliness. While I did know my way around with the simple cleaning spells, the complex ones were rather difficult, especially when they did the job of wiping the dust at the back of the cupboards.

I was no perfect housekeeper but with the crash course I had during the weekend, I was pretty sure that I could take on the next person I met with OCD on cleanliness.

The positive part out of this experience was that I was more efficient.

Yeah, right.

"There you go, dear" Mum served me a plate of apple French toast.

My dad sat opposite me flipping through the Daily Prophet while sipping on a cup of freshly brewed coffee. I on the other hand, chomped down my breakfast very quickly topping it off with great gulps of orange juice. I was rather ravenous today.

Just as I was about to leave, Hermione and Ron descended down to the kitchen and persuaded me into sitting down with them for the next ten minutes.

"We have a surprise for you." Ron grabbed a plate full of piping hot apple French toast and sprayed it with maple syrup. Hermione and I watched him gobble down his breakfast with a mixture of fascination and disgust.

"What?" He asked with his mouth full when he realised that the both of us had been openly staring at him. I had a brief tinge of déjà vu as Hermione sighed and I shrugged.

Some things never change, that was Ron for you.

A few minutes later, my surprise arrived through the floodgate. It was none other than The Boy Who Lived, himself.

"Harry!" I shrieked in excitement as I threw myself at him into a hug.

"Hey Gin!" He said laughingly, hugging me close. –"I didn't know you missed me that much."

His green eyes sparkled with joy, laughter and amusement. This was the Harry that I had always wanted to see. The Harry that I could never bring, it was amazing to see him so light and carefree.

Indeed, he was in love. It screamed off him in every parts.

"What did you get me from Bulgaria?" I demanded since every one of my siblings had brought me a gift. Whether it was a postcard of the monuments and centuries old museums or a simple bobble head of Sid Umralkrov.

"I got you a present." He answered me, grinning, earning a glare from me.

"Oh alright." I pouted, not really meaning it. It was fun to push his buttons like a little sister would. He loved us like family and the feeling was definitely mutual.

Just then, Mum came into the kitchen to resume her kitchenly duties and saw Harry.

"Harry dear!" She embraced him, -"Just in time for breakfast. And Ginny, what are you still doing here? You were supposed to have left ages ago."

That put me right back on track. Ginny, just because you grape-stomped with Draco in somebody's celebration, doesn't mean you can waltz in there fashionably late. Draco Malfoy is still your boss.

Unfortunately.

"Oops!" I jumped up and grabbed my satchel. I was about to grab floo powder when Harry intervened.

"You're going to work at this hour?" He looked astonished.

I nodded my head, "It is a part of my contract. My boss is a very busy man." And smoking hot too at that!

"I'll walk you." He stood up, abandoning… Oh he finished breakfast.

"There is no need for that, Hare." I adjusted my satchel properly.

"I insist, Gin" Without a word, he walked towards the floogate and grabbed and entire handful of floo powder.

"Where to?" He looked at me grimly as though he would not tolerate any more of my protests towards him escorting me to Corporate Alley.

Girl, you're screwed.

Think quickly, Gin. Harry cannot know that you work for Draco Malfoy. What to do? What to do?

My mind was jammed in panic, what on earth do I tell Harry.

Suddenly, I had a brainwave just as Harry snapped his fingers and looked at me questioningly.

For a second there, I was blur and then I realised what he was trying to indicate.

"Corporate Alley" I said as clearly as I could as Harry held me by the arm in a death grip.

Muttering a Cleaning Spell when we reached, he waited for me to walk in the direction I had to, joining me. He was observing the environment around him.

It was rather quiet, what else could be expected. Only my job started at such an unnatural hour.

"Interesting place." He remarked, still taking in the various architecture and magnificent designs of the different business empires of the wizarding world.

"Isn't it?" I remarked brightly, gesturing around. This was my world, a place where I could be myself and be accepted no matter whom I worked for.

In fact, I was rather respected around here. Apparently, rumours had it that I was Draco Malfoy's longest lasting secretary who had yet to drop her pants for him.

I wonder when will that happen.

I mused to myself internally.

"Did you say something, Gin?" Harry once again snapped me out of my reverie.

Uh oh. I hope I did not just say any of that aloud.

"No. Why? Did you hear something?" I tried to pretend as though I was puzzled.

Honestly, if there were ever a Worst Actress in the History of Forever Award, it'd go to me. I'd be the reigning Queen of terrible actresses.

"Oh…No…" Harry shook his head, -"Thought I heard something though."

"Must be your imagination, Harry. Or maybe you are hearing Parseltongue." I teased him as he pretended to swat me off like an irritating fruit fly.

We laughed and made our way along Corporate Alley as I showed him important landmarks that we had always read about in the business section.

"So Harry, about that gift, when are you going to give it to me?" At my persistent mention of my 'said' gift, Harry looked rather uncomfortable.

"What?" I demanded questioningly, hands akimbo.

Harry was silent for what felt like eternity considering the fact that I was on my way to work and if I was a second late, my devastatingly sexy boss will fire me.

He was immersed in a silent battle within himself, his emerald eyes revealed that to me.

"Hare…"I started, but he cut me off.

"Look Gin, I have something to tell you, but I'm not sure if you are going to take it well. I really hope you do though…" He paused, taking a deep breath and then continuing.

I waited for him, curious to know what he had to say.

-"I'm in love with Luna." He stopped to look at my facial expression, which I had to commend myself for, was superbly impassive.

"Hare.." I began again but he shushed me.

"I know, Gin that we've been in a relationship and… Well, hopefully you get the picture. It did not work out, but we're friends. And Luna is your best friend. It's been ages since we.. you know. Broke up. But, I don't know if you are still hung over and Luna…."

"HARRY BLOODY POTTER! LISTEN TO ME AND LISTEN TO ME THIS VERY INSTANT!-" I prodded his muscled chest roughly with a sharp fingernail. Secretly, I relished in the fact that my finger might have caused him the slightest bit of discomfort.

"ELSE I'M GOING TO HEX YOUR BALLS OFF. AND TRUST ME YOU AND LUNA ARE NOT GOING TO LIKE THAT." I took a deep breath trying to calm myself down.

"First of all, I am so over you alright! You're history. You are one of my brothers now. We are family! Whatever makes you happy makes me happy. Luna is my best friend and there is all that whole load of crap in that Girble if it goes against two of the people on my list of most favourite people in the world! So… Basically, all I'm trying to say is that both you and Luna have my blessing." I finished off sweetly, smiling.

"No, Gin. Luna and I…. Wait, did I just hear you say…" Harry stumbled over his words in disbelief.

My smile gave him hope and my reply confirmed his thoughts.

"You have my blessings." I simply stated smilingly.

A smile wider than a banana grew on his face. He was genuinely worried about what I had to say about his relationship. That touched me enough to know that I was special to him.

"Ginny!" He pulled me into his arms and swung me around. I squealed with laughter.

"Put me down, Hare!" I shrieked, smacking him in futile resistance on his back.

"You have no idea how happy you've made me!" He exclaimed in joy.

"Yes, Harry Potter, I've made you the happiest person alive by agreeing to marry you." I joked.

He laughed and finally set me down to safe grounds.

He gazed at me for a long time, as though searching through my soul for any unhappiness but when he finally found none.

"Thank you, Gin." He embraced me once again and kissed me lightly on the cheek.

"Don't treat Luna like that, okay?" I teased him.

He made move to smack me on my butt but I moved away just in time.

I laughed and reached forward to give him a peck.

"My work is here, Harry. I've got to go or else I am going to be late."

I touched his cheek, "Bye!" and walked towards the entrance of the King Neptune Convection Centre.

A longer route to my office, but nothing unmanageable.

At work, things were rather different. I met Blaise; who decided to lounge around the office today. Draco on the other hand, seemed to be missing in action. I did not have the chance to speak with him since we spent the other day together. Something was wrong, I was pretty sure.

Sitting down in my very own cabin, my thoughts were occupied by none other than my boss, himself.

It was usually like this when Draco was out of town or in a meeting with another company which was a rare occasion. Meetings were usually held in the empire itself and I knew of its schedules and also Draco's whereabouts.

He could have taken ill, after all he is a workaholic and in a category of its own.

Not seeing him worried me, he would at least stop by and check on me to give a snarky comment or sneak up on me or smack my butt with a file that he would usually have on him. Today… was another story altogether.

Okay, so the 'taken ill' reason is stupid. If Blaise is here, Draco definitely is.

My concern and curiosity got the better of me and hence conjuring up an excuse, I made my way to his cabin.

Peering inside after a short knock, I saw Draco sitting grandly at his table with Blaise directly opposite him. A look at Draco told me that he was in one of his 'corporate demon' moods as I liked to refer to them.

The kind where he would think that the world was at his feet – scratch that, he thinks that anyway.

"Ah, you again, Weasel!" Blaise exclaimed grinning brightly as he noticed my silent entry into Draco's cabin. –"Are you stalking me or something?"

"You know Blaise, I could say the same for you." I retorted back, raising my eyebrows in a very Slytherin manner- a trait I picked up from Draco.

"Touche." He winked at me, sexily as I rolled my eyes to myself. Typical Blaise.

I had known him for a very short time now, but he was always like that in Hogwarts.

"If you are done, hitting on my best friend, Ginny. May I ask what is it that has brought you to my cabin?" Draco interrupted our little joke fest on a dangerous note.

His tone reminded me of beloved Professor Snape whenever I was caught talking during Potions class. Which was rather often, might I add.

He looked absolutely ticked off and somehow his anger was directed towards me. I blanched inwardly, did I do something wrong?

Was it the way I looked? I looked down to what I was wearing – a muggle baby pink silk blouse with the typical a-line corporate skirt, pointed leather pumps. Topping it off with a white cloak and a small, simple pearl necklace that Mikayla had gotten me from Bulgaria and a light make-up charm.

I thought I looked pretty good.

-"I had left instructions at the reception that under any circumstances, I am not to be disturbed today, unless if the sky has fallen or something implausible has occurred. So tell me, what is it that has you standing here before me, Ginny?" His mercury eyes pierced my soul with its glare. It was like looking in the face of lightning.

Instructions at the desk. Reception. I scanned my head trying to remember who had been on duty at the counter today. Audrina. Bitch.

"Er…"I began to explain my reason for intruding-which, mind you was probably terribly lame under his scrutiny.

"Yes?" He prodded on, coldly.

"I…." I stopped, looking at him awkwardly.-"had nothing to do. Everything has been done." I finished lamely.

"Deal with it. Now get out!" Draco's voice lowered sounding dangerously venomous. As though he might avada me if I did not walk out this very instant.

"Dray-" Blaise started with a warning tone, inclining on the fact that Draco might just be stepping over his line.

I stopped him. –"Oh, so sorry Sir. Excuse me for interrupting while you have a stick up your ass. I'll be out of your hair, now." I stomped out of the office furiously.

He was so infuriating sometimes with all that arrogance, superiority and sometimes it was as though he was the nicest person on the planet. He has personality problems. I decided as I grabbed my satchel.

I was in need of comfort food right now. Diagon Alley was the nearest place to satisfy my needs and so I headed over to the Leaky Cauldron to order myself a piping hot plate of fish and chips. Maybe a Cherry Martini.

Drinking on the job. Trashy.

"Long time, Miss Ginny." Tom the Bartender greeted me with a toothy grin as I entered the pub.

"Good to see you too, Tom, I will have the usual and top it off with one of your fried fish specials, please. " I said, pleasantly.

"Your drink has been paid for, Miss Ginny." Tom informed me as he served my drink to me a couple of minutes later.

"Why?" I was puzzled; Cherry Martini had never been a free drink of the day at this pub. Or at any others. Nobody liked cherries as much I did or rather cherry flavoured martinis.

"With compliments from that lady right there." He implied slyly.

Mother of Merlin! I have always had men buying me complimentary drinks, never a woman.

Was he trying to imply that I was a lesbian? Or I just got hit on by one. Or that a lesbian tried to buy me a drink.

I turned to look right at where he pointed to.

There sat, none other than my best friend, Channy herself waggling her eyebrows at me cheekily.

I screamed loud enough for the entire pub to quieten and threw myself right over to her table.

"CHANNY! I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS." I shrieked pulling her into a hug.

"GINNY!" She hugged me back so tightly; I was almost unable to breathe.

Once the pub had realised that it was nothing but a reunion between two friends, everyone carried on with their own business.

Chanina Giovanni, the third and remaining member of my best friend trio in Hogwarts. Full-time Gryffindor, she was a pureblood Italian and a gorgeous one at that. She had hair that was black as ebony, straight with bangs, a very Cleopatra look, olive skin tone with a fabulous complexion and chocolate brown eyes.

Her family was a prominent member of the pureblood society, almost as influential as the Malfoys and Zabinis. They mainly comprised of Ravenclaws, and much to her family's disgust, she had ended up in Gryffindor thus being the black sheep.

Recently though, she relocated to Italy in vain attempts to fix things with her family but only realised that she could only end the feud with marriage to an affluent man. That is where I came into the picture.

For Christmas, I gifted her a Howler that implied that she and I were together. That Howler caused uproar in a party that the Giovanni's had thrown in lieu of Christmas. It was also an announcement of her engagement to someone. The Giovanni's were furious at their societal humiliation by their youngest daughter, the wild child and hence decided to cut ties with her.

Therefore, now she was back in the UK and currently renting a room in Diagon Alley.

"Couldn't you write to me? I was stuck alone in the Burrow for an entire month!" I wailed at her stupidity.

"I didn't want to trouble you, besides its okay! I'm fine here. Just running low on supplies and money." Her trust fund, issued by her parents was revoked as well.

"How is the place, though?" I asked quietly knowing that she would not be very comfortable living in a small room.

"It's perfect for short term" She grimaced knowing that the time she had stayed here had not been short at all.

-"Tom is letting me help out a little around here you know. I'm the bartender, sometimes." She said, proudly.

"This martini is the bomb then." I said, taking a sip.

"It doesn't pay much though. The men love me despite my horrible concoctions." She sighed.

"Okay, so there are two problems, a job and a place to stay." A job.

A job.

Ping! It was as though a bell rang in my head, a job.

Back at work, Narcissa was in dire need of a new secretary. I hated just about half the things she did, but now it struck me. Who better to do the job than someone who not just knows how it works but actually enjoys it? What made it a billion times better was the fact that the person was none other than my own best friend.

The responsibility to find Narcissa a new secretary was entrusted to me by Draco. I was absolutely sure that Channy would do a brilliant job. She had the patience, the tolerance and the power to deal with the faux problems of the high society.

"I just had the most bloody brilliant idea of my life," I stated excitedly and proceeded to tell her everything.

When I was done, Channy gaped at me for an entire minute and then she shrieked in joy.

"WOW, this is so exciting! We'll be working together! And the pay is good too!" She stood up and hugged me.

And then she screamed a second time in realisation, "GOODNESS, GINNY! YOU HAVE THE HOTS FOR YOUR BOSS!" And then I got the life squeezed out of me.

-"AND HE IS DRACO SMOKIN' HOT MALFOY."

"Very subtle, Chan." I stated sarcastically as we had a gained quite an audience in the pub.

She laughed, "Who cares! I'm just really happy to have my best friend back."

"Me too." I said, genuinely meaning it. She told everyone that her trip to Italy was merely a vacation but she was trying to make amends for all the flaws she never had.

Only I knew the truth.

"Do you think I look fine?" She asked me worriedly.

Channy wore a mustard yellow blouse with acid wash denim jeans and sandals. She looked great, as though she had just gone for a shopping trip.

"You look great!" I assured her. Yellow was truly her colour, very few people in this world according to me were blessed with the ability to look good in yellow. She was one of them.

Bringing her back to work with me, I couldn't help but feel apprehensive as I had deliberately omitted the fact that Draco had lost his temper with me today. My relationship with Draco was not as clear cut as I would like it to be.

Sometimes I felt as though he liked me more than he think he should but other times he treated me as though I was a piece of dirt. Like today for instance, did I mention Multiple Personality Disorder much?

"You think I'll pass the interview? I've never ever been for one before." Channy informed me nervously.

"Woman, you've already gotten the job. It's just standard protocol that I inform my boss and he will leave a notice for his mother." Or just inform her over the dinner table, however it is that they communicated.

"Oh…" Apparently, the little piece of information had just sunk in.

I knocked softly once again on his cabin door, mustering up all the attitude that I could even though honestly I was scared.

Before I could give up, I forced myself to open the door and once again I was greeted by the very same picture of Draco and Blaise at their respective places.

Draco had an album of what looked like photographs of different places and he was taking a look at them. Blaise was doodling on a piece of paper, probably waiting for Draco to give his opinion.

They had yet to notice me.

Briefly, I cleared my throat. –"Gentlemen, I have an announcement to make."

I paused for a dramatically grand effect as they stared at me in surprise. Looking at Draco directly in the eyes, -"I have found you a replacement secretary who will take my place."

I guess that I had chosen an inauspicious time to announce that little piece of news because Blaise had chosen that very moment to drink water. Water, which was no longer in his throat.

He spat it out in surprise, spraying some of the files on Draco's table with his DNA.

Draco glared at him in disgust and muttered a Cleaning Spell.

-"She is outside. Shall I call her in?" I asked.

Both Draco and Blaise stared at me in utter bewilderment. –"Surely, you can't be serious?" Blaise managed.

-"I mean, Draco wasn't even that mean. He was just jea-" Draco's glare silenced Blaise.

"What do you mean by finding a replacement? You cannot just leave, you have signed a contract!" Draco slammed the album shut in outrage.

I glanced at both of them in disbelief. I was utterly confused, puzzled, confounded….

"What on earth are the both of you talking about?" I finally managed when my brain did not catch the buzz of the topic they were on.

"We are talking about you finding a replacement for yourself. You signed a contract, Ginny. How are you going to weasel your way out of this one? No pun intended." Blaise looked at me apologetically.

"Replacement?" I scoffed, still not understanding.

"You are resigning?"Blaise hinted.

"Who the hell told you that?" I flared up immediately. Stupid bitch, Audrina. Always going around and spreading rumours about everybody.

"Didn't you?" Blaise asked confusedly. He looked adorable when he was puzzled. It was a sight.

I tried to make sense out of the nonsense they just shared with me. Finally I understood.

I had not made it clear who the replacement was for.

"Oh…." It dawned upon me. –"The replacement means, a replacement for me being Narcissa's secretary you doofus! Why would I resign?"

Continuing -"Sure, Draco tends to get a stick stuck up in his ass sometimes, but hey! I love my job." I shrugged casually.

"I am still present here in case you did not realise." Draco reminded clearly irritated by my conversation with Blaise.

-"I found Narcissa a very competent, reliable replacement. Would the both of you like to be introduced to her?" I asked as I made way to call Channy in.

"Sure." Blaise replied while Draco nodded his head shortly, still irate.

"Chan. Come inside." I called out to her as loudly as I could.

"Chan huh? Is she Chinese?" Blaise wondered as he twirled his wand while shooting sparks with it.

"Nope. She is just like you, Italian. Well, pure Italian." I corrected myself when I remembered Blaise's semi-Italian bloodline thanks to Lucius Malfoy.

A knock at the door and my best friend walked in trying to look like the diva of the day. She was definitely not in her zone, I decided.

"Hello there." Blaise greeted her flirtatiously as he shamelessly checked her out from head to foot.

She glanced at him for a second before she realised who he was.

Blaise Zabini, the man whom she had a crush on from fourth year, probably still did. I forgot to mention that he was present in the office over lunch.

"Hey yourself!" She recovered nicely from her own session of checking him out while giving me a very pointed look.

"This…" I gestured towards her,-"is Chanina Giovanni. My best friend and Narcissa's new secretary."

Both Draco and Blaise stood up and greeted her in their own respective styles. Blaise, a light peck on her cheek and Draco a rather formal handshake.

"The Chanina Giovanni from that party at Christmas?" Blaise recalled thoughtfully sounding amazingly interested in her.

-"You're a lesbian aren't you?" He added completely adding more awkwardness to the situation. Her own crush was asking her if she was lesbian.

If Draco did that to me, I'd probably jump out the first window I see.

Channy on the other hand handled it with style.

"Maybe." She replied clearly flirting with him. Game on sister.

"I like." Blaise replied, the hot feelings definitely mutual.

SomehowI had a feeling that I would be seeing him around more often than before.

"Good for you."

I watched their banter, back and forth like a tennis match. Draco chose the right moment to clear his throat.

There was pin drop silence in the entire cabin as Channy blushed and Blaise smirked in all his glory.

I had this urge to laugh hysterically at the awkwardness of situation.

Draco took charge. –"I look forward to seeing you around, Chanina. It's a pleasure to see you after Hogwarts, indeed."

Did I mention 'corporate-demon'?

-"Blaise, would you like to give Chanina here a tour of the empire. I would like to speak with Ginny, alone." He emphasized a lot on the last bit.

Blaise gave him a grateful look. He grabbed Channy's hand and sauntered his way out of the cabin. I could just imagine the stunned silence that Channy was going through right now.

Draco did that sometimes.

There was silence for a full minute after they left. I watched Draco continue flipping through the album though not really looking at it.

"If you really do wish to speak to me..You can start now." I mentioned not trying to tread onto his wrong side.

"I… i….." Draco paused, unsure of how he should continue.

"Go on." I rolled my eyes. Ironic how exactly an hour or two ago, I was stuck in a similar position. Karma worked in such magically amazing ways.

"Sorry." He blurted out, looking awkward and cute.

Did I just say cute? Draco Malfoy never looked cute. He always looked roguishly sexy, too good to be true.

The truth was, he did. He looked lost, like a little boy. I had the insane urge to throw myself in his arms. Instead I decided to torture him a little bit more.

"What did you say?" I demanded, impatiently.

"You heard me." Draco was back to his old ways.

"Say it again." I retorted right back at his face.

He stood up, walked right over to where I was standing. Currently, the distance between us could be measure within centimetres. If I leaned back, I would be on Draco, that's how close we were standing beside each other.

The air was tense, I could feel his cool breath on my neck and it gave me goosebumps. Leaning forward such that his lips were merely a touch away from my ear, he whispered.

"I'm sorry."

Damn you to hell Draco. Why are you so hot?

This is the longest chapter that I have written in a while. Thank holidays for that.

Chanina is pronounced as Sha-ni-na, for those who don't know. She is actually a brief inspiration of my best friend in reality who watched me type this entire chapter on Skype (still watching! love you my kushipoo). Sid Umralkrov is an inspiration of her little brother who is my little Britannica. Thought that I should share that random trivia with you guys!(:

Thanks for the love with the reviews. I really, truly appreciate them. Honestly.

So make my day and review please!(: XOXO